(LÎHU‘E) – Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a fire. That’s the message behind this year’s national Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11.

The Kaua‘i Fire Department is joining forces with the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) to promote this year’s campaign to have every home equipped with a working smoke alarm that is tested monthly.

To kick off Fire Prevention Week, the Fire Prevention Bureau will have an educational display at Saturday’s Kmart National Safety Day event at the Lîhu‘e Kmart from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Firefighters will be hosting tours of Sparky’s Fire Safety Trailer to teach people of all ages about the importance of having a working smoke alarm and other fire safety tips.

According to the latest NFPA research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire by half. In addition, two-thirds of house fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or non-working alarms.